KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The Transport Ministry (MoT) is happy that its allocation has been increased by 13% in Budget 2017, said minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The additional funds is mainly for development purposes, he told reporters while leaving Parliament after Budget 2017 was a...

Transport Ministry to buy more trains after getting bigger allocation

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): An opposition parliamentarian has accused the government of being over-optimistic about the economy in Budget 2017.

Liew Chin Tong , the DAP MP for Kluang, said the Budget did not address significant challenges that Malaysia is facing amid the global economic slow...

Opposition MPs say PM over-optimistic about the economy

To view the Prime Minister's entire speech, click here

* Budget 2017's allocation stands at RM260.8 bil; is up 3.4% from recalibrated Budget 2016

...

Budget 2017 Highlights

To view the Prime Minister's entire speech, click here

* Budget 2017's allocation stands at RM260.8 bil is up 3.4% from recalibrated Budget 2016

...

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The special fund of up to RM3 billion, to be allocated by government-linked investment companies (GLICs) to licensed fund managers for investments into small and mid-cap firms, will improve market transactions and banks’ non-interest income, said Ambank Group chairman Tan S...

AmBank: RM3b special fund for small, mid-cap investments will boost banks non-interest income

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Penang Institute, the Penang government’s think tank, said a balanced Budget is unlikely to be achieved in the foreseeable future due to the large civil service expenditure.

Budget 2017 has a total allocation of RM260.8 million, up 3.4% from the Recalibrated Budge...

Large civil servant outlay will hamper balancing of Budget, says Penang think tank

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): An economist said the emphasis on expenditure allocations in Budget 2017 belied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s dismissal of talks earlier that it would be an election budget.

“Although Najib dismissed talks of this being an election budget, the emphasis o...

Budget 2017: An election budget it is, says economist

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Franklin Templeton Investments said infrastructure development projects will benefit the economy and people (rakyat), if it is "targeted and transparently distributed".

Franklin Templeton Investments executive director and head Malaysia fixed income and sukuk, Han...

Franklin Templeton: Infrastructure development to benefit the economy & people if transparently distributed

Malaysia's Budget 2017: An election budget it is, says economist

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Uber Malaysia today deemed the government's initiative to assist the Bottom 40 (B40) group to participate as ride-sharing drivers under Budget 2017, as "a clear win for the ridesharing industry and [which also] shows forward-thinking leadership".

Under the budget,...

Uber sees Budget 2017 initiative a 'clear win' for ridesharing industry

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The establishment of the Collection Intelligence Arrangement (CIA) under the Ministry of Finance (MOF) is expected to decrease potential tax evasion by companies.

The setting up of the CIA, which consists of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Royal Malaysian Customs ...

Experts: Time’s up for tax evaders with the establishment of CIA

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) welcomes the incentives for the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Budget 2017, but expressed disappointment that more funds had not been allocated to the sector’s growth.

“FMM welcomes the numerou...

FMM: More funds should have been allocated to develop SMEs

KUALA LUMPUR: The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) is concerned that there is only a 2.22% increase in the development expenditure in Budget 2017.

Its president Datuk Ter Leong Yap said there should have been a higher allocation for development e...

ACCCIM: Govt should have allocated more money for development

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Khazanah Nasional Bhd said Budget 2017 balances growth, fiscal stability and improving living standards for the Bottom 40 (B40) group of Malaysian households.

Khazanah managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar said the fund is committed to deliver on the initiatives...

Khazanah: Budget 2017 balances growth, fiscal stability and better B40 living standards

Russia and Ukraine exchanged fire on energy facilities overnight, with an oil refinery damaged in Russia’s Krasnodar region, while Ukraine sustained a missile barrage on gas infrastructure and other targets.

Russia, Ukraine exchange strikes on refinery and gas targets

Deutsche Bank AG is putting aside as much as €1.3 billion (US$1.4 billion or RM6.6 billion) in legal provisions, warning this will hit profits.

The bank will book the potential payment in the current quarter, it said in a statement late on Friday. That will impact “second quarter and full-year profitability”, it said, while adding that the ultimate amount of the provisions is not clear yet.

Deutsche Bank earmarks US$1.4b provision in hit to profit

Genting Malaysia Bhd has dismissed reports linking the group and its deputy chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thai to supposed discussions relating to the opening of a second casino for Malaysia in Forest City, Johor, to revive the US$100 billion (RM477.60 billion) development.

Genting Malaysia denies involvement in talks for Forest City casino

The Territorial Sea Act 2012 (Act 750) remains valid and applicable throughout Malaysia, including in Terengganu, unless declared otherwise by the court, says the Prime Minister’s Office, despite the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly's decision to reject its use.

Territorial Sea Act 2012 still valid, including in Terengganu, says PMO

The Malaysian government is serious about resolving issues surrounding the palm oil industry in the country, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Govt serious about resolving palm oil industry issues, says Johari Ghani

Three new semiconductor companies are keen to invest in Penang with total investments of US$100 million (RM477 million), said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Three semiconductor firms keen to invest US$100m in Penang

Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir and his brother Mirzan Mahathir, who have been asked to declare their assets by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), have both denied being investigated by the agency.

Mahathir's sons, Mirzan and Mokhzani, deny being under MACC probe

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government had no plans to temporarily suspend the service of Fennec and HOM helicopters.

Govt not suspending service of Fennec and HOM helicopters, says minister

It will be a four-way fight in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election between Pakatan Harapan’s pick Pang Sock Tao, Hulu Selangor Bersatu action division head Khairul Azhari, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin and independent Nyau Ke Xin.

NEWS: Four-cornered fight in KKB by-election

Parti Rakyar Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin says that if elected, PRM will stand on a platform of increased transparency in government.

NEWS: Parti Rakyat Malaysia will run on more transparency

The creation of Flexible Account 3 for anytime withdrawals from May 11 means Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members can choose to take out up to a third of the balance in their existing Wellbeing Account 2.

Who pays for anytime EPF withdrawals?

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) is investigating allegations of unethical recruitment practices made against the sub-agents of SOS Manpower Service, its appointed agent to recruit Nepalese foreign workers for its subsidiary&nbsp;KL-Kepong Rubber Products Sdn Bhd.

The allegations, according to KLK, were made by Sajha Sabal Media, a news portal in Nepal.

KLK investigating allegations of unethical practice linked to its foreign worker recruitment agent

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election will see a four-cornered fight between the candidates of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.

A four-way bout in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was never confronted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on whether Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners — which received millions from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and transferred it to his private banking account — was controlled or owned by fugitive Eric Tan Kim Loong, an alleged associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

Court told MACC never asked Najib if he knew who owned shell company that transferred US$30 mil to his account

Three new semiconductor companies are keen to invest in Penang with&nbsp;total investments of US$100 million (RM477&nbsp;million), said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Bank of Singapore Ltd, the private-banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), has fired up to 40 employees over the misuse of medical benefits, according to a CNA report.

Singapore bank fires workers over misuse of medical claims — CNA

Global&nbsp;stocks were higher on Friday, as Big Tech gains lifted Wall Street shares, while Japan's yen&nbsp;sank to a&nbsp;34-year low after the Bank of Japan (BOJ)&nbsp;kept&nbsp;monetary policy loose.

Global stocks gain on Big Tech lift; yen slides to 34-year low

Alphabet Inc&nbsp;closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).

Alphabet joins US$2 trillion club as results show AI strength

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said&nbsp;there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.

Ageing oil palm trees: MPOA calls for govt incentives to speed up replanting

Richly valued US&nbsp;stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.

Lofty US stocks leave investors punishing earnings disappointments

The Perak government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in the production of downstream products of rare earth elements (REE).

Perak to collaborate with rare earth elements company from South Korea, says MB

Genting Malaysia Bhd has dismissed reports linking the group and its deputy chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thai to supposed discussions relating to the opening of a second casino for Malaysia in Forest City, Johor, to revive the US$100 billion (RM477.60 billion) development.

Candidates contesting the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, have started executing their campaign strategies over the weekend. The by-election is being held following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong from DAP, on March 21 due to cancer.

The Week Ahead: Attention on KKB by-election, FOMC decision, trade data in Asia

Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir and his brother Mirzan Mahathir, who have been asked to declare their assets by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), have both denied being investigated by the agency.

The nomination centre&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election closed at 10am on Saturday.

The announcement was made by returning officer Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin&nbsp;at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Nomination centre for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election closes at 10am

Singapore will introduce a new law this year that will help so-called gig-economy workers plan for their retirement needs and get work injury protection, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said.

Singapore plans law to support gig workers’ retirement needs

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election&nbsp;is the time for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) favour in assisting Umno candidates in the previous elections, said&nbsp;Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Time for BN to return PH's favour in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, says Zahid

The Territorial Sea Act 2012 (Act 750) remains valid and applicable throughout Malaysia, including in Terengganu, unless declared otherwise by the court, says the Prime Minister’s Office,&nbsp;despite the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly's decision to reject its use.

US&nbsp;regulators have seized Republic First Bancorp and agreed to sell it to Fulton Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) said on Friday, underscoring the challenges facing regional banks a year after the collapse of three peers.

US regulators seize troubled lender Republic First, sell it to Fulton Bank

Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.

The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.

Budget 2017

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